Studio Recital

New Zealand Listener, Volume 17, Issue 420, 11 July 1947, Page 9

Studio Recital

F one has been listening to singers in local studio presentations over a period of years, it is interesting to trace, or imagine one can trace, the development of style and technique in a particular performer, This is something that the flying visits of overseas artists and the too short sojourns of most of our own, together with the stabilised versions recorded, all usually deny us. So probably we are ill accustomed to this sort of criticism. I think, however, it is not imagination or weakening of the in»tellect which has led me to find in Gerald Christeller’s recitals from 3YA lately maturer quality and more sureness than previously. This singer has a very pleasant light baritone voice which he uses well; but in his choice of songs he appears sometimes a little overambitious. One of the most delightful of his recent recitals was of 17th Century Italian songs; both music and language in these were treated with admirable clarity. and comprehension. But

more recently still, a programme of songs by Handel (airs and recitatives), was disappointing in. almost every way. It is difficult for us; and hard on them, to judge these performers on their short groups of songs presented at irregular intervals. I would very much like to hear more of Mr. Christeller, particularly in his presentation of Mozart. But one would not, on the other hand, advocate full-length concerts for every warbler that exercised in front of his local microphone.